Right now the main problem is defending. So I think Ramos should be dropped for a more calm and natural defender like Nacho. Pepe shouldn't be starting obviously. Both Pepe and Ramos are too erratic. We can't have 2 defensive fullbacks, since it doesn't suit the style. Casillas made a few good saves against Copenhagen and he's better than Lopez at his peak, he should be given another chance. If he fails, then Lopez should regain his spot. Casillas is a natural leader too, so he can help organise etc.

------------------Casillas---Carvajal---Varane---Nacho---Marcelo

If one of the fullbacks/the team doesn't do too well, then a defensive fullback should play alongside the attacking one. However never 2 defensive fullbacks.

In terms of midfield, it's evident we need a pure DM there. Casemiro had a good pre season, so he should be given a chance. Or Illarramendi. Not Khedira, he's a B2B. He can be a good sub who comes on and just solidifies the midfield.

Modric should play at CM. He offers more than Illarramendi and if Illarramendi played with Khedira, then it would be similar to the abysmal Alonso-Khedira midfield we had under Mourinho. Plus Illarramendi is limited like Alonso. Modric can go B2B playmaking and he's better with the ball.

--------Casemiro------Modric-----Isco

Up front Bale should play as a goalscoring RW when he's fit. Not Di Maria. Problem with Di Maria is he's too haphazard. He becomes a random crossing machine and his decision making is poor. One good game vs Copenhagen isn't enough to justify a starting spot. Also I think a RW in a 4-3-3 should be a goalscorer, not a different type of player like Di Maria.

Up front I don't mind if Morata starts ahead of Benzema, however I wouldn't give up too easily on Benzema.

In terms of playing style, the team needs to forget the way they played under Mourinho. At times the team plays a mixture of Mourinho's style and Ancelotti's. There clearly a difference between the two. Ancelotti's style is possession, high pressing, remaining calm and patient during the build up. So when Pepe hoofs, or Di Maria loses the ball/crosses, it ruins it.

The team also needs to keep the ball much better. If we want to play possession, then it has to be like Bayern/Barca. Proper possession. Not constantly losing the ball or playing random football.

Defensively the team needs to be organised. Ronaldo needs to track back from LW. The team needs to press high up the pitch and play a highline. Either that, or the team drops deep and stop the opposition from having a shot. Right now we just randomly sit back with no defensive organisation.

Having Illarra as a DLP in the moud of Xabi, with great defensive skills, and Casemiro, a player who actually reminds me of Vidal, good both attacking and defensive wise, the complete package, great technically and physically, with great passing ability and tactical awareness would give Carvajal and Marcelo more freedom to support the attack.

Alonso used to get overrun when he was the last man back occasionally. Plus Modric has done well defensively this season. He's not the tallest, which is why it might seem like he's poor defensively, however that's not the case.

Casemiro isn't really a B2B. In pre season he just looked like a DM. Wasn't good enough attacking wise to be called a B2B.

Having a B2B CM like Modric, who's nifty, helps with possession. Illarramendi's a bit limited like Alonso.

@Valkyrja wrote:I don't get this whole possession thing? Why play possession when you have Bale and Ronaldo on the wings ?Carlo should think about how to use them best, and a possession style doesn't fit them IMO.

Agreed. Why would you guys play in possession when it means this closes space, which is exactly Bale and Ronaldo need. We all saw against Atletico how Bale and Ronaldo play when the spaces are small, little to nothing (no hate). They need space. On the other hand, you don't want a Mourinho counter-attacking style as well. I'd say you guys have a good squad, but its not very balance because quite some players need a different style of tactic. Isco, Modric, Morata suited for possesion, solid midfield, but when the ball arrives with the wingers they need space and they wont get that. Its difficult and im curious to see how ancelotti's solves it

We'll automatically have the majority of the possession against most sides anyway, so we might as well be competent at possession play. However that's not the only reason we should play possession. Under Mourinho we struggled when we had the ball.

Playing possession doesn't mean we can't counter-attack.

Last edited by Yohan Modric on Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:34 am; edited 1 time in total

Yohan Modric wrote:We'll automatically have the majority of the possession against most sides anyway, so we might as well be competent at possession play.[/qoute]

So, how? Who will be the creative playmakers? You are going to go against 4-4-2 usually. So this means you're going to have Ronaldo - Morata/Jese? - Bale against 4 backs, and Modric, Isco, Casimero/Illara? against 4 midfielders, all hanging back. Who is going to be the player that gets in between the lines and draws players away from their position and make room for the attackers to make runs, have individual brilliance? I know Isco can do this but I dont know about Modric Illara etc

So this means you're going to allow the opposition to put pressure on you? Our coach is doing the same thing now, he is letting oppositio getting the upperhand because possession doesnt always work, just to strike back with counter attacking. But I do feel this is not the way to go, you have 100% more change of conceding when you dont have the ball.

he hasnt proved more as a CM thats for sure. in a 4-3-1-2 he would have much more freedom to do what he does best, which is dribble and maneuver around to find pockets of space. so its not anything like the 4-2-3-1 CAM position hes played for madrid in the few games he has which is crowded by the wingers cutting in and the backs overlapping.

with the combination i laid out we would have cavajal and marcelo providing width, the midfield control, modric dictating play, illarra giving the midfield shape, khedira pressing, freeing up room for isco to float in the attacking midfield to hold the ball up, make a couple dribbles and free up space combined with the individual goal threat of ronaldo supplied by benz